... about an '85 show. Really, I get it, this was my maximum show-going period, being in college on the East Coast. But when I really started hearing show after show from 72-74 or even 76-77, I started to realize just how lacking they were in the mid-80's.

This show starts out well with a strong Half-Step, although, even here, the shortness of the song and the fast tempo make it feel rushed compared to the long, slow-building versions of the 70's. But for 85, it's very good. So is C.C. Rider. After that come a bunch of uninteresting songs and then setbreak.

The second set starts out with another huge highlight. This Shakedown St. would rank high in any era. Samson follows, not one of my favorites, but OK, well-played. But then comes He's Gone, a real snoozer of a song, and unlike in the early 80's when you'd get a barn-burner of an outro jam, here you get some vocal warbling and then a quick transition into Cryptical.

Now I like a good Cryptical as much as anyone, but the 85 versions aren't it. Maybe if they'd done the Cryptical reprise with a full-on peaking jam like in '69. However, the Other One intro > Other One proper is a definite highlight. I always looked forward to an Other One (sadly, got none after '88 {sigh}), and this is a barnburner. That leads into Stella, which could either be a borefest or a blissful ecstacy ride depending on Jerry. This falls into the latter category, with Jerry's gorgeous solos providing the eargasm.

There's some really good music in this show, just not enough of it, and never reaching the heights of the 60's and 70's. A solid, 3 star mid-80's show.

Brent was playing MIDI during CC Rider. Around this time I also caught MIDI fiddle on Big River a couple times. Different yes, but nowhere near as powerful as a Hammond B-3.

This show is special for me in so many ways.

I was all of 10 years old when my family moved from Boston into Columbia, Maryland, about half-mile from Merriweather Post Pavilion, and barely two weeks after this show, in July, 1985. At that time it was possible to walk from our house to the parking lot in less than 5 minutes, and despite the development which has changed the landscape since, many summers were spent on the back porch getting a free listen to the bands playing at MPP. I recall the buzz around the neighborhood was electric with stories of deadheads descending on this small corner of the earth; VW bus traffic jams, hippies fornicating in Symphony Woods, bathing in the fountains at the nearby mall, and raucously partying all night long. The band was asked not to come back - for egregiously violating the established 11pm noise curfew - and they never did [Jerry Garcia Band would return in the late 80s]. I missed the show, but I was hooked on the legend!

Fast forward to the 90s, I was able to catch a show in-person at RFK stadium in 1994, but I wasn't really impressed with anything except the parking lot scene. That all changed when I arrived at college in Ohio and befriended a young man by the name of Jeremy Granick. Hundreds of miles from home, I had met a friend from my area and we grew tight driving to/from school for breaks. His prize possession, among many other tapes, was Set II from THIS show. We wore that tape out, feeding our heads full of Jerry's Fingers blotter paper and tasty nugs. I really started to LISTEN to the music and I loved it.

Then, March 15, 2000, just 2 months before graduation and almost exactly 21 years ago now, Jeremy was killed in a horrible car accident. I have lived through many traumatic events; was working in downtown Manhattan on September 11, 2001 and survived the WTC disaster... but there really is nothing in this world like losing a best friend. The Stella Blue performance from this show was played at his memorial service. My "inheritance" included his collection of tapes and I have kept them close ever since. My musical taste is comprehensive. On a given day I might go from Aretha to Zeppelin and every genre in between, but I always come back to The Dead. The tapes are all safely packed away, but I try my best to wear out the digital copies just the same.

With all that said, to set the stage so-to-speak, this is an absolutely incredible show, with an amazing energy! I beg you all to stop and listen and enjoy as I have all these years. Anyone familiar with this archive will know that Charlie Miller is nothing short of brilliant, and his attention to delivering a quality aural experience with this particular show is much appreciated. Not only can you hear that the band is in great voice, but the crowd seems to be really feeling it too - all those hippies in the woods!

Very few misses, but oh so many highlights. I'm willing to concede there *might* be a better Shakedown Street somewhere out there, but I haven't heard it, and the performances of Samson and Sugar Magnolia are also absolutely top notch. Not only that, but the rare treat of Cryptical Envelopment -> Drums -> Space -> The Other One is excellent compared to so many recordings where these tracks fall flat without the benefit of "being there, man".

That brings us to He's Gone and Stella Blue. They are both so tender and soulfully played with incredible audience response. You can understand that I might have a special affection for these songs, as many do, and I can honestly say that I have searched far and wide for better versions and found very few that can match up. These are both GOLD STANDARD Grateful Dead. Performances for the ages by which all others can be compared. Easy five stars for me. Play it loud on the nearest wall of sound and see for yourself!

Rest in Peace Jeremy, I promise the music will never stop.

kee-zee you have good taste imo! Both nights were epic!!
If you don't like this you don't like the Grateful Dead. I prefer the next night but it's by a canadian hare Lol. Both shows were some of the best that 1985 had to offer!! Bobby/Jerry/Phil were just getting off at Merriweather this summer 2 night run.

If you do not like this show, there is something wrong with you... This show is dripping, sick...

Who's playing during C.C. Rider at around 3:30 ???? There's a solo but I can't tell if it's Brent on some synthesized keys or Jerry on MIDI??? Can't remember if MIDI was on his set up yet. Otherwise it's a great show

4:30 into 1/2 Step, right as Jerry starts singing the "Across the Rio Grande..." Brent trickles in with this delicate mandolin like accompaniment. Nice stuff.

Yeah??..NO WAY you were at this show Cliff Hucker..If you were, you were passed out drunk in the parking lot..Go back to the hole you crawled out of! Merriweather rocked in the sweet summer of 85'!! The 1st set is upbeat and you can feel the band is having fun..Keep on Growing! I remember oh so well..the sun setting and they throw down one of the best Shakedowns I've ever heard live..A solid 2nd set fo sure!!The next night is a Winner also!!! so please>GIVE IT A WHIRL>Forever Grateful>Forever Dead!!!!!!

..than this Shakedown. The entire jam is full-on Dead at their best, but the sublime entry into it (@7:55) and the unbelievable peak at the end (starting @ 12:00) are all-timers.

Bob Weir plays some of the best guitar I've heard from him (sound and playing) in the '80's during that Shakedown. He just had such a nasty thick sound going on, especially during the last jam after the last chorus. This show is incredible. Making me feel very joyous right now.

Charlie, you are the man. Not sure how you have found time to get all this done. I love '85, I love that summer, and yeah this is an outstanding example, and a very well polished recording. Thanks, I had to come out of lurkerdom to throw my $0.02 in the hat.

PS I miss everyone.

Great sounding board by Charlie Miller once again! This show was so much fun to be part of. Flew into DC to hang with my friend Dave. Visited the Smithsonian the day before. Amazing times!

an easy five -- for the show and for charlie miller optimal quality...

keep on growin' helped move the show into overdrive along with a killer LLR in set one

second set opener the epic shakedown and the rest is all five star loveliness and power.

was at this show and in my top 10-20 of 150+ shows for all around fun and show quality.

I've gave up looking for a board of this show when Jerry passed, but then again I stopped collecting tapes when that happened also. Almost 20 years later I am reliving my youth between this site and You Tube. You have made this family member one happy camper. Thank you so very much Charlie, you eased my soul.

21 years of shows. First show '74...last show Omni '95. These two Meriwether Post shows were the best shows I ever saw. The vibe was palpable. The crowd was into it. The band was happy and screwing around. The next night was better but this Shakedown...oh my freaking God! I actually prefer the audience tapes from the front of the lawn laid down by the guy sitting next to me. Thanks pal! Lost your name and address years ago but at least I sent you the dub from that weird vinyl boot I had with the Dark Star into Me And My Uncle from the unknown date. I know you dug it. This Charlie Miller version kills, too but that warm sound from the lawn will be with me until I french kiss the angel of death.

This was the best show of the summer. I remember how mellow the vibe was before the show started but the excitement was in the air. The circus was in town and the locals were overtaken by it across the highway at the local mall. Heads had abandoned there cars everywhere along the road leading to the pavilion and the parking lot was full. So we ended up parking at mall with many other Deadheads. The party was everywhere you turned, the only liqueur store around was in the mall too. By the time the crowd started to move across the street to the show the sun was starting to hit the tree tops and all the controls were set for a real good time. Had my ticket in hand but didn't realize it was for inside. Being it was my first time at the venue my jaw dropped when I got to my seat and saw how small the place was. Everybody was ready for some fun and I do remember the place going crazy when they played Shakedown. The 20 years so far banner was behind the band and it was really a sight to behold. Made me feel proud all over. By the time the show ended I was left with a big grin on my face and hot looking babe next to me that asked me for a hug because she said she felt the love coming out of me during the whole show. Ahhh those were the days. Anyways, enough about that...lol. Just kickback , get yourself feeling good and put the headphones on for this one. It's a rocker. Enjoy the quality here. The audience that had the most DL is worth getting too.

Saw a lot of shows from '75 on, and summer of '85 still stands out in my memory. It was as if they'd been practicing or something! Riverbend 6/24/85 second set is highly recommended.

A killer 85' smokin'hott show.Put this in your earhole.

Definitely one of the best Shakedowns the boys ever did. Absolutely incredible.

I saw some shows in '85. And I have most of the shows from that year.
I personally feel this is a strong year for the GD overall and one of the strongest of the '80's.

At any rate, I agree with whomever wrote this show is overlooked. There is much to this show.

The Fun or X factor is through the roof. The first set (as was the case in most of '85) is well executed, but short.

The second set HAS to be in the top 4 or 5 that year.
11/1 was certainly more unique in song choice and placement; and Saratoga was unbeievable.
But Shakedown>Samson rocks. Put it on turn it up and just take it in. The Gimmie Some Lovin's definitely finds itself at an odd place in the rotation. But it works, esp b/c Jerry delivers a He's Gone>Cryptical gem afterwards. Many have commented that the band never seemed to quite "get" Cryptical to the point where you went "they nailed it". But the dare to revive it, and the placement of it see 6/25 and 9/3 is certainly worth the effort.

Post drumz has a great Other One (I always thought that song should scare - ok maybe that is not the right word) but make you tremble - and this one does.

Hard to compete in a year that started so strong in Philly, Nassau, Springfield. The Fall run was also incredible.
But Merriweather should be in anyone's top 5 in my humble opinion.

Enjoy and God Bless
5 stars

I declare, I have loved and will always love this show for obvious reasons. Thanks again to all for the effort. Over and out.

I was too young to see the early shows. but the 85 mark was in the heat of my run with the band. love any show Brent was at.

... this one didn't thrill me and I'm not sure why based on the other reviews here. I was directed to this show on the strength of the Shakedown which I have to say I didn't love (besides Jerry's lyrical gaffs, I just didn't find it a particularly exciting version). Some alright moment in this show and although I wasn't crazy about Cryptical's revival, this is one of the stronger ones in 85. The OO was pretty good and a spirited US Blues to end the show. On the flip-side, I found the post-drums kind of dull (Around is my least favourite Bobby tune even when they played it well back in 73/74...) and the Don't Ease wasn't good at all.

This is a very underrated high quality show from the June '85 run. In the top three shows (along with 7/1) from the year IMO.

The first set starts off with a rousing Half Step. Jerry belts out the Rio Grandio line. C.C. Rider follows and it includes an incredible bluesy final jam. Brown Eyed women follows and while not the best version it is well played and sung with lots of energy. After some Bobby cowboy songs they bust out an incredible version of Keep on Growing. This is full of enthusiasm and energy and is the best version I've heard. Looks Like Rain is another highlight followed by a decent Don't Ease.

Set two gets going with an incredible Shakedown Street. Many people site this as one of the best versions ever and it deserves the praise. A long extended funky jam featuring great soloing and group improv. This segues into a scorching Samson but Jerry's playing seems a bit off rhythm. Gimme Some Lovin' brings back the energy followed by an excellent jam that finishes the set. He's Gone is well played and soulful with a nice vocal jam that segues into Cryptical, always a great surprise! The Other One that comes out of Space in excellent segueing into a beautiful rendition of Stella. One of the better later versions of the song. Sugar Mags closes out the show with incredible energy.

If you were, you wouldn't be writing this trash. More 85 junk? What planet are you on?

I guess this stinker deserves five stars just because you attended the show?

I was there as well but I cant listen to this...

In spite of brilliant Charlie Miller sound quality, this is just more junk from 1985!

Floating Sage:

matrix of this show can be found at:

http://www.archive.org/details/gd1985-06-30.mtx.seamons.94642.sbeok.flac16

i never really got into Matrix mixes but to each his own..

when it comes to re-mastering, there's Charlie Miller and then there's everybody else.

performance is 5-star as well.

Notes to self: ... Audience version captures magic of show...this version better fidelity for my bum ears

1st listening not what I expected...think recording will grow on me ... Some good jams for me to pick guitar with (eg: CCRider, Shakedown, Space >OtherOne very cool)...I know band and audience were cooking together 'cause I listened to audience recorded version before this one...goal: find another version(soundboard w/audience)

THANK YOU! i was just about to give up on finding a version here that sounds better than the CASSETTE i FOUND IN A BOX in my CLOSET a couple days ago.......i actually believe that audience tapes sound better on cassette.....it's hard to properly DIGITALIZE a EXPERIENCE.....a course, if you were THERE.......LUCKY YOU, and SURE, it brings back memories

but i believe something else, too.......mostly from my years of dancing in DJ-tape playing venues AFTER Jerry flew the coop.......and i don't just believe it, i actually know it for a FACT:

if you were at ANY shows..........you were at EVERY show

and if you have any sense at all......you still ARE

Great show! Thanks again Mr. Miller for the crispy critter. My copies always had a muddy, over-processed quality to them. Nice Shakedown, of course. I always liked the unique twist brent added at about the 11:30 mark. Jerry is quick to chip in and adds an ever-increasing peak to the twist. They both were definitely on the same page with what was happenin'. I imagine Jerry was giving Brent the all-knowing look above his glasses and an agreeable head nod like he always did. I always dug how they communicated without speaking. Jerry would start swaying a little and the groove was on. Summer '85 has always been a favorite of mine and the Merriweather shows remind me why.

What a place. So many good times there.

This show and the night after were heaven on earth.

It was the 20th birthday year and everything seemed happy, even with Jerry in Red. Not a bad time to be 25, footloose and fancy free.

My second favorite Shakedown to 7-6-97 Pittsburgh......

Take a long listen to He's Gone and Stella too. Both are so crisp.

There were nights and then there were nights.Possibly the best show I ever attended standing on the second set alone.not that the first one was terrible.Not sure what the review before was thinking.Someone has yet to refer me to a better Shakedown.2nd set is spotless beginning to end.When Bobby is on the whole thing just gets pretty sick.It was all we could do in this most beautiful of outdoor settings to hold on tight and ride one wave after another.This summer tour left more than a few lines on our faces after a full month of perma-grin.

A quick sampling revealed that this Charlie Miller version is the one to have.

As everyone has mentioned, the Shakedown is awesome. Not as good as 10/25/79, but it's up there. And not always talked about, but this Drums>Space is great. In Space at about 4:01 > 4:30 the aliens are actually trying to communicate. I've caught this maybe on only one other occasion, date forgotton. Grt follow up with The Other One, which by the end finally brings us back down to earth. Sugar Mag also very good. Overall an easy 5.

Just got listening to that shakedown and oh man -it's just juicy. Its stuff like what ya hear in there that makes me love Brent so much.

This is a great sounding concert. One of my favorite tapes ever! I sent it to a friend, and haven't heard it in a while. It's good to have it back again. Thanks for the super clean sound Charlie!

That is all.

Charlie Miller--thanks for cleaning up the cobwebs, once again. Always appreciated!!